I just read on one of my favorite gossip blogs, Dlisted, that long-time 60 Minutes correspondent Mike Wallace died. Dlisted eulogized Wallace by showing him hold his own against Mecha-Streisand. In this clip, Barbra also jokes that "in the good old days," Marlene Dietrich and "all those real movie stars" would have a spotlight follow them everywhere.
I expect journalists and presenters to invent and spread celebrity myths because they carry the bardic torch as professional storytellers. A legendary celebrity like Streisand telling tales of a fellow icon surprises me, though, because Streisand would know better than anyone that anecdotes hyperbolize celebrities' qualities, leading to fabrication. Despite superstar insight, the tendency toward minstrelsy (in a medieval sense) can subdue even Streisand. Mythmaking is simply irresistible!
I expect journalists and presenters to invent and spread celebrity myths because they carry the bardic torch as professional storytellers. A legendary celebrity like Streisand telling tales of a fellow icon surprises me, though, because Streisand would know better than anyone that anecdotes hyperbolize celebrities' qualities, leading to fabrication. Despite superstar insight, the tendency toward minstrelsy (in a medieval sense) can subdue even Streisand. Mythmaking is simply irresistible!
Let's not forget what Dietrich said about her in Maria's book!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Sometimes, I visit the Westwood cemetery because I work near it, and whenever I pass by Fanny Brice's grave, I remember Dietrich's critique of Funny Girl and stifle my laughter.
ReplyDeleteWhat Marlene says about Barbra? I couldn't find Maria's book here in Brazil anywhere...
ReplyDeleteIn Maria's book, apparently MD said, while seeing Streisand play Fanny Brice, "Well she certainly has the nose for it."
ReplyDeletejajajaja That's hilarious! I love both! Thank you umaneo! S2
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